“Thank you, Lord God, and Forgive me, Lord God!” is one of the most popular prayers by St George Preca, recited by many. This prayer encapsulates two fundamental aspects of our relationship with God: gratitude and the need for forgiveness from our most merciful and benevolent Creator.
God, our greatest benefactor, deserves our heartfelt thanks, for everything we have is through his grace. To cultivate a spirit of gratitude, we must remain aware of all the blessings, even the smallest ones, that we have received from him. In his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis urges us to continually ask for the grace of a “grateful rememberance”, which helps us acknowledge our dependence on God’s providence in all we do, as without him, we can do nothing.
Let us turn our gaze on Mary, remembering that we are called to share with others what we have freely received from God. This act of sharing not only expresses our gratitude to God, but also serves to multiply the blessings we have been given with others.
However, as human beings, we often fall short, particularly in our relationship with God. Therefore, we must also nurture a spirit of repentance. Cultivating in us a spirit of humility helps us recognize our failures before God and seek his forgiveness. Acknowledging our shortcomings is vital for our spiritual growth and the deepening of our relationship with Him.
Moreover, we must strive to avoid repeating past mistakes and commit ourselves to change as we journey towards holiness. Developing a spirit of repentance implies being more sensitive to others and forgiving those who have wronged us. Through this attitude, we spread God’s love and mercy in our daily interactions with others, and thus, we contribute to foster a more compassionate and loving community.
As the year ends, it is fitting to reflect on the countless blessings we have received from God and acknowledge our failings. By repeating the beautiful prayer, “Thank you, Lord God, and Forgive me, Lord God!” helps us live with a spirit of gratitude and repentance throughout our lives. By doing so, we invite God to fill us with these virtues, allowing us to live more fully in his grace and love. Let us keep this prayer close to our hearts as a reminder of the Lord’s boundless providence and mercy.
God, O Father, receive the divine wounds of our brother Jesus Christ,
your dear Son, which I offer you to thank you, as you deserve,
for all the good you have done for me,
and to earn from you the forgiveness of all my sins .
Amen.
